FORT KENT, Maine — When considering home improvement projects which can not only beautify but protect homes, it is roofs to the rescue.
“The roof saves everything underneath,” said Travis Levesque, manager of the Fort Kent S.W. Collins store.
Without a properly functioning roof, Levesque said, insulation within the home can become wet, as can sheetrock, leading to mold and mildew problems. In some cases, a leaky roof may even lead to electrical issues if a home’s wiring is affected.
When it comes to selecting shingles for a new roof, homeowners have several choices, including three tab shingles and architectural shingles, but according to Levesque, architectural shingles provide “the best bang for your buck.”
The three tab shingles, which Levesque classified as “bottom of the line” are less expensive, however, the architectural shingles are heavier, Levesque said provide a continuous glue seam along the roof.
“After they’re all sealed the roof is basically one big shingle,” he said.
Shingles can last anywhere from 20-40 years, sometimes as long as 50 years, before they need to be replaced, at which point Levesque said it is time to replace the entire roof.
S.W. Collins sells shingles by the square, which is 10 feet by 10 feet or 100 square feet. Levesque said he recommends Certainteed brand shingles, citing the brand’s warranty system and based on years of selling the brand.
“We’ve had the best luck with them,” Levesque said.
An air powered roofing gun and roofing nails are used to fasten the shingles to the roof, but first a protective underlayment will need to be placed on the top of the house.
Levesque recommends DiamondDeck synthetic underlayment, which he says is a more effective alternative to tar paper. The synthetic underlayment is virtually waterproof, according to Levesque, and is strong enough to endure a roofer walking on it.
Another thing to consider when replacing a roof is how to dispose of old shingles. Additional costs may be involved to dispose of the old shingles at landfills, depending on where a person resides. Renting a dumpster during the roofing project is another alternative.
Levesque said homeowners should make sure their attic is well ventilated before installing a new roof or else the attic can heat the shingles from the bottom, damaging them. If this is the case, and the problem is not addressed, new roofing will also be adversely affected.
“Attic ventilation is very important in the role of a shingle’s life,” he said.
Director of Planning and Economic Development as well as Code Enforcement Officer for the town of Fort Kent, Steve Pelletier, said a permit is not required to replace a roof, unless structural changes are made to the home.
